Civil Registration of Births/Marriage/Deaths became law in Ireland for Church of Ireland in 1845 and for Catholics in 1864. The indexes of these records are available to view and copy certificates to purchase to researchers who visit the Government Registration Office, Werburgh St., Dublin. These Civil Records are also available on Irish Genealogy ‘. All Baptisms are online from 1864 to 1916, Marriages from 1864 to 1940 and Deaths from 1864 to 1965. As per data protection obligations, the last year is updated annually. It is also possible to view the original record forms in most cases. Once you have found your ancestor’s name/es just click on the link to bring up the image. The older ones are being updated currently to bring all original images up to date. Click on the name
PRE-1864 Church Records. In theory, all Kerry Baptisms and Marriages from the early 1800s are listed online at Irish Genealogy. In practice, a number of years are ‘missing’ as per the table of the Catholic parishes below. These are secondary sources and have a number of transcription errors.
You might ask why they are ‘missing’. There are a number of reasons – ‘lost’, ‘missing without explanation’, ‘fire’, ‘flood’, the ‘Black and Tans’, ‘illegible’. Some of these reasons are understandable. Due to the Penal Laws, it was not possible or legal for Catholic Priests to keep a record of Births or Marriages so very few records survive until the early to middle part of the 19th Century. Parish Priests of the early nineteenth century, particularly in rural areas, lived a precarious lifestyle, didn’t have secretaries, a number didn’t have a permanent residence, not to mention an office and it is a miracle that so many registers have in fact survived. What remains of the original parish registers are still kept in local custody. They are often in a fragile state and may not be accessible to researchers.
Original Catholic Parish Registers
The images of the original Catholic Parish Registers available online at Registers.Nli.ie are a marvellous resource. While they were transcribed from the originals on to IrishGenealogy.ie, you now have the opportunity of seeing the entire entry. On these pages, you can see the original record of your ancestor’s baptism or marriage and you can also see any note that the priest of the time might have entered. The entries are almost all in Latin. They are not indexed on this website but have been indexed on FindMyPast.ie. and free of charge.
Church of Ireland Records
The Church of Ireland records have had an equally perilous history. Virtually intact until the fire in the Public Record Offices in 1922, those that had not been kept in Kerry in local custody or at least a copy kept, perished in this unfortunate fire. It is possible to see some Church of Ireland Parish records on Irish Genealogy, it is possible to see some of the alternative sources outlined below or some have been deposited in the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin.
Alternative Sources of Kerry Baptisms/Marriages/Deaths prior to 1864.
It is always advisable to check with the free LDS Website familysearch.org. I have found baptisms/marriages on that site that are not reflected on IrishGenealogy. The reason I am told is that the LDS listings were taken years earlier than the transcriptions on IrishGenealogy when original records were still in place in an individual parish. These records have a cut off date of 1880. I understand these transcriptions are copies of those held in the National Library of Ireland but I do not have absolute confirmation of this.
It is also advisable before giving up, to check and check again, ALL variations of your ancestor’s surname. Spelling was not standardised in the 19th century.
Where I have listed OCM, these are the 16 volumes of O’Kief Coshe Mange. The 16 volumes of primary genealogical and historical records are available in the Local History Dept of Tralee Library or the National Library of Ireland, Kildare St.., Dublin and in a number of North American libraries. They are not online.
Desperately seeking my ancestors who sent their adult children to the US around 1850:
Mary (Dowd) Kelly
Father: Timothy Dowd
Mother: Julia Carraty (or Cawatey)
Lakes of Killarney
County Kerry
Ireland
Mary Dowd was born about 1825- 1830 !n d emigrated to the US about 1850. Records are very sketchy.
Thank you
Eileen, I have given a quick look at the baptismal records on IrishGenealogy.ie but there is no record of a baptism of a Mary Kelly with father Timothy Dowd in the entire Kerry records (not just Killarney). This might just mean that she was born before some of the Kerry records actually began. The problem that as a result of the general religious restrictions and the Penal Laws from the late 16th century to the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, it was difficult and dangerous for priests to keep and/or maintain records. As a result only a small number of parish registers survive of baptisms and marriages before 1820. The urban parishes of Tralee, Killarney and Listowel have the earlier records – some from 1792 and others not available until after 1870.
If you would like to email me caballkay@gmail.com with some details of the family – names ages etc of Mary Kelly’s children, where they emigrated to, it might throw some more light on it.
Kay
I had an aunt called Mary Nurse or Norris who went to America and married a Dowd, my father was James Nurse or Norris. James my father moved to Kildare one brother stayed in Warren Castlegregory Co Kerry and 2 brother went to America also Tim and Micheal. I am the youngest of Jim Norris (Nurse) I am now 60 and have a brother deceased John Joe and a sister Phil.
Padraig, yes Norris is a name in Castlegregory ok. I remember the Warren. We had a Mobile Home near it there one time.
I found two Carraty’s, one ‘Witness at a wedding in Dublin, Mary Carraty, 26/07/1891, St. Mary’s Church, two, Death,25/11/1923, Patrick Carraty, age 75, Bachalor, Engine Fitter, Present his sister, L. Carraty,At least it proves ‘Carraty is a name.
Patrick Moriarty, thanks for this info. I have not been on this site in a great long while. That info is helpful. Very thnkful!
My name is Yasmin Grace Kerry
My grand grandma was called Grace F Kerry
Born Grace F Plummer br. 1920s
I don’t have much knowledge please help
I have searched online at New Cemetery, Killarney for my grandmother’s name – Mary Ferris who was born in Castlegregory and died 1925. She was married to Peter Wilkie of Killarney. I will be visiting Killarney this August and would like to visit her grave. Any info you can share would be appreciated.
Mary, I have had a quick look at http://www.kerrylaburials.ie which is the County Council online record. I tried Aghadoe, Aghadoe Old and New Cemetery Killarney and the name ‘Wilkie’ does not come up. Probably your best bet is to visit the local Killarney Library and ask to see some of the newspapers of 1925 and see if you can find a funeral notice for Mary Wilkie. They would always name the graveyard that the funeral was taking place. I would just use the name ‘Wilkie’ – Mary will have been buried in the same graveyard (and probably grave) as her husband.
Hi Mary,
There are wonderful stories by a Joe Wilkie on Peter Wilkie his grandfather that might have some connection to your ancestors !
The link is as follows:-
http://www.igp-web.com/Kerry/wilkienotes.html
Kind regards,
Ann
Hi Ann, I just happened to get on “My Kerry Ancestors.com” today! You referenced the above website which was put together by Paddy Joe Wilkie’s daughter (Bridget) back in early 2000. I have a copy (20+ pages) of my Uncle Pat’s (Paddy Joe) life growing up in Killarney. I am the daughter of Bridget (Bridie) Wilkie who is a sibling of my Uncle Pat. My grandparents were Peter and Mary (Ferris) Wilkie. I started my genealogy research about 3 years ago and I enjoy every minute (more like hours) that I spend on it. One of my current searches is for a Johanna Ferris who I believe lived in Castlegregory. I don’t have any dates of birth, marriage or death. If you can help in any way I would be forever grateful.
I am the recipient of pictures (Ireland and US) from a Wilkie cousin. I have a 5X7 picture of a Jim Sullivan and written on the back of the picture: Hannah Sullivan’s son. Taken in Ireland! I would love to send this to a family member of Jim Sullivan. When I was in my teens we visited Killarney with my Uncle Pat, his wife Alice (Forhane) Wilkie, and my Mother and we visited the Sullivan family at 26? Allman’ Terrace in Killarney.
Look forward to hearing from you and I promise I will be checking this website from now on! Love, Mary (Barrett) Moran
Hi Mary! My name is Max Smith and I am Paddy Joe’s Great Grandson. I am the son of Dennis Smith, who is the son of Bridget (Paddy Joe’s Daughter). I have recently started searching for information relating to my great grandfather and would be really interested in any information you have about Uncle Pat’s life in Killarney. Unfortunately due to health, it’s become harder to see Bridget and ask questions. I’d also be interested to know any more information on our large Irish lineage as it has become a recent fascination to me.
I look forward to hearing back from you Mary. Talk soon, cheers.
1911 Census, No. 12, Green Lane Killarney, Father, Peter Wilkie, age 40, Car Driver Assistant, Mother, Mary Ferris ,age 39, Daughters, Bridget, age 14, Hanna, age 12, Sons, Christy, age, 9, Patrick, age 7, Peter, age 4. Death, 31/05/1925, lived ,Green Lane,Killarney, age 48, wife of soldier.present Bridie Wilkie. Birth, Peter Wilkie, 16/05/1869, Father, Peter, Sailir, Mother, Bridget Sullivan,, lived, Headford, Killarney.
I am trying to trace my family history and have discovered that my great great great grandmother, Julia Lucy Halissey (or a variation) was born in County Kerry, near Milltown, Ireland, in 1820 and died there in 1858. Julia and Thomas O’Shea had a son, Michael Thomas O’Shea, my great great grandfather, born in Corke in 1835, who came to Australia in the early 1860s. No information available on Thomas O’Shea.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Shane, a search here for Julia (or any Hallissey) in Milltown was negative. Bapismal records from Milltown did not start until 1825 but in fact there are no Hallissey (an variant of spelling) in Milltown. Most Hallisseys in Kerry are either in Kenmare or the surrounding area. If you can get a copy of the marriage register that is where there should be a home location of both Julia and Thomas O’Shea.
Hello
I am trying to trace family. Originated under the name O’Shea from Waterville, Kerry. Historically known as Coirean.
In 1942 a lady called Ann O’Shea was sent to the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam where she gave birth to a son Patrick Joseph O’Shea. Patrick was boarded out to a family in the late 1940s.
I am trying to find out more about the birth mother. Can anyone help me.
HI,
I’m hoping against hope I’ll finally make the US Ireland connection before we fly to Ireland on June 20th. I have confirmed through two sources that my great grandfather came from County Kerry. His name is Thomas Corrigan (Corridon, Corriden) born April 6 1831. He had two sisters that came over – Margaret b 1829 and Kate b 1842 (Catherine/Katherine). Not sure if there are other siblings. Thomas’ first born son was named John and second named Robert.
Wondering if you’re able to find anything that my searches missed.
Patrina, a pity that you didn’t contact me sooner. The first thing, which you must keep in mind is that in the 19th century, Irish people did not know (or care about) their year/dates of birth. This is a very well known fact. When they emigrated, and were asked for these, they came up with a supposed date and year. You will find if you follow the U.S. Federal Census that this recollection changed from one census to the next. There was nothing devious going on – they just didn’t know. Have a look at some of my blogs.
I gave a very quick look now at http://www.IrishGenealogy.ie and my best guess (I stress guess) would be that your great grandfather was Thomas Corridan of Gloundelahin, Causeway b. 28.2.1834. Take a look at this record and you will see that there was also a Catherine b. 29/12/1841. There is no Margaret in this family but there is a Mary b. 4/1.1829. Glandalahin is a townland in the Civil Parish of Ballyheigue. If we could have progressed this sooner, we could actually find the land they occupied.
I read your comments about birthdays and that is so true. My Nana’ birthday was (we thought and had always been told) December 14. Upon finding the birth record it was December 13. Her husband was a year off 1881 not 1882 and my other Grandfather was a month off.
Hi – I have exhausted my resources finding my Grandmother’s (Bridget T. O’Shea) parents, Julia Galvin and Jeremiah in County Kerry. Her naturalization papers say she was born 6 Sep 1906 in Cappanacuss, Ireland.
Julia’s birth is registered on the Civil Registration section of http://www.IrishGenealogy.ie. While she was born on 6 Sept 1906, the birth was not registered until 1907 which is noted on it. They lived in Cappanacuss, she would have been born at home and as it was her mother who registered the birth in Kenmare, she probably would not have had occasion to travel in there very often. You should now look on the 1911 Census of Ireland for the entire family. If you email me separately caballkay@gmail.com I can send you a copy of the birth cert. Its technically not possble to include it here. Kay
Trying to find out anything about my Grandfathers family. All I have is information from his headstone:
John O’ Sullivan (Eugene)
Died 25th June 1946 aged 42 years
Katie O’ Sullivan (nee Sheehan Letterfinish, Sneem) Died 19th October 1937 age 28 years
Their daughter Nora May died 28th August 1930 Age 2 years
Would love to find out more & would really appreciate advice on where to start.
Thank you!!!
Deirdre O’ Sullivan
Deirdre thank you for your comment. It is not possible to find much from 1911 onwards due to data protection controls. As your grand father was 42 in 1946 and you have an address in Sneem, you should try in the 1901 and 1911 Census of Ireland and you will see both himself and his family plus their economic circmstances. Hopefully i have done a blog on ‘Getting the most from the Census’. There is much more than just names and ages – lots of information here. After that time, you will have to follow up with birth/marriage or death certs from the Government Registration Office in Dublin, where you have to go in person and look through the books – up to 1965 for births, 1990 for marriages and 1995 for deaths.
Hi Deirdre, I live quite near Letterfinish, Sneem and I know there is a house there that belongs to a man named Sheehan and it was the old family home. He and one of his brothers still live in Sneem today.
Vincent lives in an area called Tahilla and his brother Liam lives in the village.
Hi I am not sure if you can help at all. I am searching for my husbands grandfather but I just seem to be hitting brick walls. The problem is I dont have alot of information to go on as my father in law has dementia so the information we have got i dont know if we can trust. We know his name is Patrick Joseph Coffey and from marriage certificates has to be born in 1916-1917 and his father was James Coffey (who was deceased by Patricks first marriage in 1946). My father in law said his dad was born in a suburb of Dublin called Bray. I cant seem to find his birth record and parents as there seems to be so many Coffeys out there and not knowing Ireland at all the places mean nothing to me. Any pointers on finding Irish records would be greatly appreciated.
Natalie, as you probably know, I specialise in Kerry but I can just advise you where to go to try and find online a copy of the birth of Patrick Coffey. He may be listed as Patrick Coffey or indeed Patrick Joseph Coffey but it was usually only one (not two) given names. You should go into the Civil Registration section of http://www.IrishGenealogy.ie and enter in his name, the County and the Registration District and his mother’s maiden surname which would be a great help to you if you can find it from his marriage certificate. Bray is in County Wicklow but also just on the border with Dublin so I would not put any ‘County’ in and you will have to try a number of times with different registration districts. You could try ‘Naas’, or ‘Rathdown’ as the most possible and after that the other Wicklow registration districts: Baltinglass and Rathdrum. Best of luck with the search
Thank you so much for the pointers, hopefully i can find him.
Hello. How do I go about obtaining my birth certificate. I was born in Tureencahill Rathmore county Kerry. I now live in England.
Many Thanks
Julia
Mary you just apply on the Government website . You can apply online there. Kay
I’ve had fairly good luck tracing some of my Irish ancestors from County Kerry; however, my great grandfather, Denis McKenna born about (1824-1892) in County Kerry, don’t know where. Married Hanora O’Sullivan from near by Glencar..father Denis O’Sullivan, Mother, Mary O’Connor. Have never been able to trace where and to whom Denis was born. Once married, they lived in Bunglasha, County Kerry. It has stopped my search on the McKenna side.
Jan, you have got the most difficult search here – ‘McKenna’ is notorious for being difficult as it is spelled (and pronounced) in all different ways. Even when I was growing up in North Kerry, it used to be called ‘Gna’. I can see the marriage in Glencar on 8th February 1861 between Honora and Denis. Hanora Sullivan was baptised on 1st May 1832 so it is probable that Denis was around the same age. I have found a Denis ‘N/R’ (means Not recorded) on IrishGenealogy.ie in Glenbeigh/Glancar baptisms 28 October 1828 with father Denis N/R and mother Catherine Reagan. There are other baptisms of Regans in same parish with sponsors spelled McKenna & Gina. The townland here is Ballynakilla in the Civil Parish of Glenbeigh. I would advise that you log on to the original records of Glenbeigh/Glencar (which are in a terrible state) on Registers.Nli.ie and see if you can do any better in reading the entry here.
You could also try getting hold of my book Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry for help and hints and census subtitutes for finding ancestors in the County. Kay
Hi Jan My husbands great grandfather was James Mckenna , baptized in the Glenbigh/glencar parish.
He had a brother Denis born 1870. Their father was John McKenna (Ginna). Mother Julia Shea . That family live in Bunglasha at one time
I do not know for sure who John’s parent were. Maybe Denis is related
Hi I was on here searching for my relatives when I read yours. I was telling my father, we are Mckennas, and he asked have you tried looking for the Mckennas at Bunglasha, Duagh Kerry? Hope this helps,Siobhan.
Hello,
I’m planning a trip to Kerry, Clare, and Cork, mid-June, 2018, hoping to visit locations and find primary source material for Dingle Parish in Kerry. I’m about to order your book for research in Kerry, but would appreciate help in discovering where I should plan to go (and on which day of the week places are open). My great-great grandfather was Robert McMahon, born abt. 1810 to Timothy McMahon in Dingle Parish. He emigrated through Canada to Canaan, Vermont in April 1829, and was Naturalized in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts in December, 1836. Robert died in Ipswich, June 21, 1858, from eating poison clams. I believe he had a brother, Thomas, 1799-1861, who also lived in Ipswich at the same time, since his father is also listed as Timothy. Robert married there in 1846 to Margaret McGann/McCann from Ardmore, County Waterford (her parents was John and Margaret nee Kinnelly). Their children (listed for possible family name connections) were Ellen 1848, Catherine 1849, Mary Anna 1851, Margaret 1852, John 1854, Henry 1857 (my g-gf), and Joseph 1859. My grandmother was Agnes Josephine (Shanahan of Heir Island).
On Irish Genealogy ie, I’ve found the following TImothy McMahon listings (as father/witness/spouse) possibilities: Marriage of TIMOTHY MC MAHON of NR and ELIZABETH HILLIARD of BALLINAHAGLISHY on 12 January 1748; Baptism of BRYAN MCMAHON of BALLINAHAGLISH on 21 September 1749; Baptism of ISABELLA MCMAHON of BALLINAHAGLISH on 2 August 1750; Baptism of MARY MCMAHON of KELUD on 25 March 1809; Baptism of CATHERINE MCMAHON of NR on 7 December 1809; Baptism of WILLIAM MC MAHON of GLASHEBEAG on 5 September 1813; Baptism of JAMES MCMAHON of MURHUR on 17 November 1814; Marriage of WILLIAM SEALY of MILLTOWN and CATHERINE MCMAHON of MILLTOWN on 3 January 1830; Baptism of ELIZABETH MCMAHON of GLANALAPPA on 23 April 1818.
Thank you!
Kathleen, glad that you are planning a trip to Ireland in the Summer which I hope will be very enjoyable for you. Regarding your McMahon ancestors, if you know for certain (with documented evidence) that your Gt Gt Gandfather was Robert McMahon b. approx 1810 son of Timothy McMahon in the Catholic Parish of Dingle, well then Dingle is the correct place – all of the other parishes that you mention – Milltown and Murhur etc., would not be for consideration. They are in other parts of Kerry and most unlikely that in 1810 Robert’s parents etc would have been roaming around north and mid-Kerry. See my blog that you replied to. But as you have searched in IrishGenealogy.ie (and I have checked just now) there is no record of a baptism of a Robert McMahon son of Timothy McMahon anwhere in Kerry (not just Dingle Catholic Parish). There is a Robert McMahon b. 1816 in Killarney but his father is James McMahon.
Just a few observations – the Dingle Parish records are available only from 1821 and some of the adjoining parishes – Ballyferriter, Lispole, Annascaul, Castlegregaory etc would be later again. When an emigrant says they are ‘from Dingle’It could mean the Dingle Peninsula, which covers all these parishes. I have ched land records (Tithe Applotments 1823) and a list of tenants on the Trant estates in Dingle (published by Ancestor Network last week) and there is no ‘McMahon’ mentioned in either in the Dingle Catholic Parish area.
As you have details of Robert’s marriage, does it give his father’s name and home location?
Regarding where you might get further details, I think it will be pretty hard to acquire more knowledge about thes McMahon ancestors until you are able to pinpoint their home location and that is best doen from the U.S. believe it or not. Searhcing through Census, marriage records tranditional family names etc., as there is really nothing extra here other than going about the pinpointed location to chat with people and see if there is any memory of the ancestor family. Unfortunately in your case, the emigration date is too early for any living memory. Everything else (at least until you pinpoint the location) is available online 0 there are no local archives with extra material.
Clare Library has a very good local history department as has Tralee, so there is no harm in enquiring in both. I am sure it is a similar situation in Waterford. The Libraries are open from 10am to about 5.30 Monday to Friday. Good luck on your search.
Hello Kay, I’m updating information on my initiai query above with a link to the research I’ve completed on my Kerry ancestors. Your book was most helpful, as was my 2018 trip to Dingle’s library and church. I discovered that a Milltown also sits next to Dingle, solving the mystery. I was able to connect my McMahon family of Ipswich, Massachusetts, to other Kerry immigrants in Vermont: Curran, Grandfield, and McCarthy. FYI Here’s a link to my family essay – https://ipswich.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/historic-ipswich-ingoldsby-03-2019.pdf The only error is the illustration for Milltown in the narrative – it’s probably of the urban entity further north. thanks again for your help and good work, Kathleen
Hello my father Joseph Phillips was born in limerick in 1927 died in kent england in 2015 his mother Bridget Phillips formally kelly was married to my grandad Francis Phillips can not find any info on Bridget but I found a little on Francis he was born in 1897 died in 1979 he was born in inch Killarney kerry he’s father was James Phillips born 1857 in Dublin his wife Kathleen I don’t no her maiden name also born 1857 they married in 1881 they had 12 children 6 died they had 4 children registered at no 38 inch Kathleen aged 20 James 18 Donald 16 and my grandad aged 14 I don’t no about the other 2 children I wonder could you shed some light on the Phillips family from kerry many thanks
Bridie, I presume that these Phillips/Kelly ancestors married in England. If they were living in Ireland in the 1850s they would not have traveled around from Dublin/Kerry/Limerick. Have a look at my blog on Kerry in the 19th centuryhttps://mykerryancestors.com/kerry-19th-century/.
I’m Phillips from that Killarney line
I tried to locate my grandmother’s birth certificate from 1861-1863 in Boherbue (Mary Casey). The Parrish Priest wrote to me stating the records were lost for that time period
In order to get dual citizenship I was told I need to find out WHY the records are not there, flood, fire etc.
Can you direct me to somewhere I can get this information?
Donna, in order to get past a ‘missing’ birth/baptismal certificate, you would need to get the priest in Boherbue to sign and stamp this letter with the official Parish Stamp, explaining precisely which dates are missing from the the Boherbue register, and to the best of his knowledge, WHY they are missing. Most current day priests don’t actually know for sure why they are missing – they are just going on hearsay or guess. You will need this as some kind of proof of your grandmother’s birth but I think you will probably have to go further. Can you prove her parent’s marriage? Or any of her siblings and proof of her relationship to them. Are those records missing or perhaps still extant? Have you your grandmother’s marriage certificate and does it state her parents names on it as well as their home location? You could then go further and find proof of her father’s land tenancy in 1852 (Griffiths Valuation).
As a kind of ‘wild card’ – as you know dates of birth were only approximate in 19th century Ireland so you should check the Civil Register, which started in 1864. I can do that quickly for you, but you didn’t give me any details of parentage, townland etc. Kay
I did get a stamped letter from the priest with the missing dates but no reason. I was told by someone at the citizenship Dept there had to be a reason, so thx for confirming. I also sent copies of baptismal certificates of her 5 siblings born between 1864-1874 with their parents names – same names as on my grandmother’s death certificate.
So hopefully the priest can come up with possible reasons as I should have enough circumstantial docs
FYI I was also told they are so busy with Brexit related applications they are not looking at circumstantial evidence.
Donna, best of luck with it but you should have enough back documents here with the sibling information. Kay
Hello,
I am desperately searching for the birthplace or place of residence in Kerry for my great great great grandfather Maurice O’Connell. He was born in 1810 somewhere in Kerry and lived there until emigrating to the USA in the early 1850’s(possibly 1851). He died in 1894 in Ledyard, Cayuga County, New York. He married a woman named Ellen. Her maiden name may have been Helen and she is listed as being born in Ireland in 1820. They had two children that I am aware of, Thomas, born in Ireland around 1850 and Patrick, born in the USA in 1853. Thomas was my great great grandfather. Thank you for any help that you can give me.
Where do I start, my husband do father came from Ballybrack,Killarney,
Fairies, he left
Eire around World War Two, settled in London, his siblings all followed later, I want to find out about his family, parents, I know his mother died when he was very young.
His name was Michael O’Brien. Will the church help with records?
Pat, I will send you by email my Query Form. If you could fill that in and return to me, i could make an assessment then on the possibilities of a positive identification or otherwise.
Hi Kay Regarding Michael O Brien from Ballybrack Firies The family lived in a cottage close to where i was born After the family went to England there father who in our house was referred to as Pa
One morning Pa went outside to get water from a barrel that was at the side of the house reached in apparently he got a heart attack All of the people who went to school with his kids are now dead so i cannot get info from them
Regards. John Gleeson
Hello, I’m looking for the parish or townland of my ancestor Michael Bagley who came to America in late 1840s.
I’ve got his birthplace as Co Kerry, his marriage record in 1852 Lowell gives the only reference to his parents names, John and Mary, and lists his age 26; in 1900 census his birthdate is listed August 1821; his death certificate lists birthday February 1822 and parents James Bagley and Julia Harrington – I don’t think the death certificate is reliable because it was reported by his son-in-law.
That said I have focused on the surname spelling Begley/Begly and looked through the church records online and found a few possibilities in County Kerry the most likely being Michael Begly baptized September 9, 1821, residence Ballycurrane, parents John Begly and Mary Stack.
Any suggested strategy on validating or refuting this theory? It’s pretty daunting when the same given names are recycled over and over.
John, it should be possible to validate the family of your ancestor Michael Bagley (probably Begley). I will send you separarately a Query form that you might be good enough to fill in and return to me. There are a series of target questions on this form that could help in the identification of the correct family. Kay C.
Hello,
I have found a marriage record for my 4th great grandparents James Kane & Johana Sullivan from Familysearch.org. However there is no image of the record and very little information from it aside from the date and place of the marriage, March 7th 1846 in Cahersiveen. Here is the source information :
“Citation
“Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGNK-K5W : 10 February 2018), James Kane and Johana Sullivan, 07 Mar 1846; citing 0159,Cahersiveen,Kerry,Ireland, reference , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 101,274.”
As you can see at the end they give a microfilm number but I am unsure what to dowith it or how to find it. Is there anything you can do to help me further this search?
Kevin, I am on holidays in France at present and don’t have records available to me. This marriage of James Keane (spelling doesn’t matter) and Johanna Sullivan is not recorded on http://www.irishgenealogy.ie or on registers.nli.ie. This is because to the best of my knowledge (without checking my book Finding Your Ancestors in Kerry, Caherciveen records are only available from about 1850. Your best bet would be to go to your local Mormon Office and order the microfilm. It is very possible that earlier records were recorded by Family Search before the originals went ‘missing’ from Caherciveen.
Hi Cay, I am in Australia and I am off to Ireland in the new year. For 3 years i have been trying to trace my ancestors. Finally today someone sent me something to do with my family of McCarthy. ( I have nothing to back this up and I am wondering if it is correct and if you please assist?? I would appreciate any help.
Eugene McCarthy – Eugene married Mary Clarke
The child from this marriage was: Michael McCarthy was born in 1831 in Kerry, Munster, Ireland, died in Jan 1875 in Ballarat, VICtoria.
Australia.
Michael married Mary Hill – circa 1855 in Ireland. Mary was born in 1835 in Clare, Ireland,
(Originally I found something that had been put up with Michael as born Tulla, County Clare Ireland
Sep 1832 with parents as Michael & Ellen Power but I don’t think this is correct??)
I would also like to know if the Kerry turns out to be correct, where do I visit to find out more information?? & is there someone that can assist with research in Kerry (if it proves correct)??
Thanks & Regards
There is no record of a baptism of a Michael McCarthy son of Eugene McCarthy/Mary Clarke extant in Kerry records. There are a number of reasons for this negative result. The principae problemis that as a result of the general religious restrictions and the Penal Laws from the late 16th century to the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, it was difficult and dangerous for priests to keep and/or maintain records. As a result only a small number of parish registers survive of baptisms and marriages before 1820. The urban parishes of Tralee, Killarney and Listowel have the earlier records – some from 1792 and others not available until after 1870. In all parishes there are gaps and mis-transcription from the original Latin record.
I presume that you have sight of Michael’s marriage record which will tell you his father’s name and perhaps his mother. While there are a number of baptisms of a Michael McCarthy to a Eugene McCarthy, none have a mother named Mary Clarke. Instinct and experience (and that is all) tell me that ‘Mary Clarke’ does not seem correct to me. It is an unusual name in Kerry.
I will send you a Query Form which has targeted questions that might elict more information.
Hi, I’m researching my Cronin family from Farranfore. Nora Cronin Diggins, my nana, born in May 1902 and I’m looking for more info on her parents, Mary Kerns Cronin and William Cronin. Anything would be great.
Thanks, Mary
I know of a cronin living in Birmingham ,I know that they came from County Cork weather they are any thing to do with who you are looking for I would not know Malcolm O’Connell
My husband has been searching for his ancestry for the past 5 years. He can trace his great great grandfather, Denis O’Sullivan(Sullivan). We know he was living and married in Balleydehob, Cork. However we cannot find his parents. When my husband took his ancestry test his relatives came from Cork, but when my daughter took her test her ancestry linked to Kerry. ( I have no connection to Ireland at all).
We assumed all along that Dennis came from Balleydehob but we can’t find his birth certificate.
We know of one brother, Jeremiah.
They all left Ireland around 1848, arriving in New York and residing in Staten Island.
We know for sure that Denis’s wife, Elizabeth O’Regan came from cork but we’re looking for a direction for Dennis. We think he was born in the 1813-1818 period.
Any direction would help.
my maternal great grandmother Honora (Nora) O’Sullivan or Sullivan was born September 15, 1865 Cahir Co Kerry near or in Cahirciveen. She was baptized September 16, 1865. She emigrated to USA April 15 1892 and married my great grandfather Daniel Clifford in 1895 in New London CT USA. Her parents were Thomas O’Sullivan and Brigida O’Connell I am looking for her siblings. I now of two Daniel born in 1875 and Nellie 1880 (estimates with dates and names) who emigrated to the US. Any help would be appreciated.
I have reached the wall concerning my Burns family. I need any information pertaining of my GGFather & GGMother prior to coming to the US from Ireland.
I’ve gotten baptism records for a Daniel Burns with his parents as Michael Burns and his Mother Mary McElligott. If this is my GGFathers family, I’m not sure. The dates are correct and the area is correct, so I’m taking a chance with the info.
The following ae the names and dates of my GGParents and their children.
GGFather:
Daniel Burns
Birth 1842 • Kerry, Ireland
Death 28 JAN 1899 • Bayview Asylum, Baltimore, Maryland
GGMother:
Catherine Mannion
Birth MAY 1840 • Kerry, Ireland (?)
Death BEF 1920 • Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Their children:
Mary Ann Burns Shaw
Birth 15 MAR 1869 • Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Death 16 MAY 1933
Joseph J Burns
Birth 12 JUN 1871 • Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Katie Burns
Birth MAY 1873 • Baltimore, Independent Cities, Maryland, USA
Daniel John Burns (my GrandFather)
Birth 4 AUG 1874 • Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, United States of America
Death 5 MAR 1917 • Quincy, Franklin, Pennsylvania, USA
Any info I can get from the Irish history of my family would be greatly appreciated.
Would appreciate any info as to how long ago O’Neills arrived in Kerry
I am having a broblem trying to find the marriage of my great grand parents . His name was Daniel Sullivan from loughane castlecove co Kerry .he marraged Norr / Nora Fitzgerald from rath Caherdaniel co Kerry around 1867 to 1870 I I assume it was in Caherdaniel it is her parish .they had five children John and Daniel on the 26 Jun 1871 twins , Francis 11 mar 1873 Johanna and Micheal boran 15 October 1875 more twins ,they were all brought up in loughane castlecove . I have found all the children but not parents Marrage hope some one can help they are not in family search , Kerry parish records .i have been looking for years .i have hit a brick wall need help Maurice
Looking for my mother’s Birth Certificate. Her maiden name was Elizabeth O’Sullivan. She was the youngest of 7 sisters born in Branden Ireland in County Kerry. Her fathers name was Patrick O’Sullivan. He was a fisherman. My grandmothers name was Alice I beleive.
MY Mother’s sisters were Francis, Alice, Gertruden(Gert), Ida, Chris, Kathleen. I am wanting to get my Irish Passport in honor of my Mother.Thank You.
David I will send you separately a Query Form that you might fill in and return to me. It has targeted questions that should enable me to identify and advise you futher.
Hello Kay
Like many others, I am returning to Ireland in May this year 2019. My GGGGFather William Warburton Higginbotham was supposed to be the 1st Lighthouse Keeper on Valentia Island from about 1830 to 1850’s. At least 5 of his children were born there and 2 entered Irish Lights. I’m not sure where his 1st son William was born – Irish Lights indicate he was born 29 Feb 1824? I have records of 2nd son Henry born Valentia on 17 Oct 1832, John born 14 Aug 1840, Maurice Fitzgerald born 10 Apr 1845 [named after the Knight of Kerry, Maurice Fitzgerald ]. There were 4 girls also born during this time but I do not have any dates. Susan Eleanor born c 1828 married 1850 at Valentia , Isabella born c1830 married 1861 at Cork, Olivia born c 1835 married 1859 at Cork and Elizabeth the youngest still living with parents at Larne Park in 1862. As William’s posting to Cork wasn’t until 1850s [where 2 of the girls married] I am sure they were born before the move. William was superannuated in 1864 then died in Dublin on 31 Oct 1865 at the home of his son Maurice. William was married to Elizabeth Dockery [Doherty] – no record to date. Their religion was Church of Ireland.
If you have any information on this family – like children born but deceased – birth or baptism dates for the girls [ i have baptism for John & Maurice but none of the others] etc. However I cannot find any Higginbotham graves in the area – I would be most grateful for your assistance in finding any information. Please let me know if you need any compensation. Thanking you Anne
Anne, I know you have given me comprehensive details of your ancestral line here, but I will send you separately a Query Form to fill and return to me. It will have targeted questions and I will be back to you then with some suggestions. Delighted you plan to visit Kerry in 2019. Kay
Hello, my brick wall occurs with my gggrandfather, James Neill. Could be O’Neill as well. He was born, according to his death certificate, in Castlemaine, County Kerry on March 17, 1808. His father’s name is listed as James as well. He was married to Frances Ellen Peever in Ireland. Frances was born in Farmer’s Bridge, County Kerry on Aug 11, 1816. It is believed that James’ family move from Castlemaine to Farmer’s Bridge prior to his marriage to Frances. She was the daughter of Thomas Peever and Catherine Jones.
While there is no birth/baptism recorded as James Neill in Castemaine, the date you quote is probably not the correct one. It is well accepted that Irish people had no idea of their correct date/year of birth in the 19th century. His death certificate would just have an assumption by whhich ever relative signed it and 17th March (St Patrick’s Day) and 25th December was one that was chosen by a lot of people. I would imagine that the name is Neil or Neal (rather than O’Neill) in this case is as both the Neils and the Peevers were Church of Ireland and that was the way they spelled their name.
I too am following James Neill, and his birth date is firm as March 17, 1808. Would they have records of their children?
Most of these births are from the Farmers Bridge Tralee, County Kerry Ireland.
First born was James Percy Neill. Born 25 Dec 1839.
John Neill b: 24Jun1841
Thomas William Neill b: 17 Mar 1852
Edward Edwin Neill b: 14 Aug 1856
Ellen A “Nellie” Neill b: Feb 18??
Charles D Neill b: 10 Apr 1861
Joseph Herbert Neill b: 17 Mar 1864
Shawn, sounds like you and I come fro the same James Neill line. I too have been looking for more information about James Neill/ONeill. The story I’ve always heard about them arriving in the stats was the dropped the O in the ocean. I have traced James line with his 7 kids. 6 boys (James Percy, John, Thomas William, Edward Edwin, Charles, and Joseph Herbert) and 1 girl (Ellen A “Nellie”. My line is with John. Then to his son Philip “Johnny” Neill, then to his son Truman (my grandfather) then to his son Andrew Albert (my father) then to me, Andrew Albert Neill jr. my mother remarried that is why my last name is Harris now. I am on Ancestry and could share what I have pulled up over the years from many contributors. I did also come across James father as being a James a well. It wasn’t really convinced that it was the same person. His did marry a Marry SULLIVAN I believe. I also have a lot about the Peevers as well. We should chat. Hope this message sees you well.
Andrew and Shawn, Could I come in here. Your ancestor James did not ‘drop the O in the ocean’ on his voyage to the U.S. After the collapse of the old Gaelic order in the seventeenth century, all government administration was in English, though most people spoke Irish as their first language for another two centuries. But Engish administration wanted to make English-language versions of surnames and this was forced on the people. the ‘O’ and ‘Mac’ were dropped and the native Irish themselves went along with it in effort to fit in and to be accepted. With the Gaelic Revival at the end of the 1890s, people began to reclaim the ‘O’ and the ‘Mac’ and the more nationalist your family was the quicker that happened with a total change back after 1916/1922. Kay
Key, I always thought that little bit was some family members way of explaining it easier to a younger generation why their name was changed in immigration. I’m not really sure my ancestors came through Ellis Island, but through Canada. Reason why I say that is due to several marriages and deaths. Yes it might be a high coincidence, but since my line from James Neill and most of them that came over resided in Vermont. James and Francis both died in Vermont very late in age. I have traces the line as far as I can get here in the United States, but when it comes to finding anything about James b:1808 there has been a huge disconnect. I always hoped that I could find James family… Parents, siblings, cousins… I thought if I traced the Peever side of the family I would had gotten a better picture of when they were Married, and possibly a hint of the Neill family. So, instead of finding anyone who might’ve stayed in Ireland that was related to James Neill, I’m finding a huge dead end. Again thank you for all your insight… here is hoping I find that one golden needle in the cosmic hay stack we are in.
Dear Kaye, I am searching for information about JANE GILESb 1815 married JAMES NEIL*,O’Neil* Ballymalis early 1830s, her address Listagel, Kiltallagh Kerry, their children, ARTHUR m. (1) Mary Smythe) NZ (2) married Mary Hassett/Blennerhassett Clahane, Kerry widow of late brother Edward NZ: (3) p. another Mary Hassett/Blennerhassett, Q’land: EDWARD m Mary Hassett/Blennerhassett Clahane, Kerry died young NZ: LUCY married Thomas Blennerhassett Kerry: JANE married John O’Neil* Farmers Bridge, Kerry: MARY married John Maybury, Kerry: The Jane Giles who married Wm Blennerhassett (1848) was born c1827 is a different family she was from Tonreagh, Kiltallagh also. There are many Giles families there I would appreciate any further information, Thank you, Pam O’Reilly.
Pam, if you’d like to email me, I can perhaps provide some assistance. I’m of Blennerhassett, Giles and O’Neill descent so appreciate the complexity of researching these lineages!
In my research, talking with known relatives, The Neiils were of Catholic faith while the Peever’s were of the Church of Ireland faith. My ggrandfather, James, married Frances Ellen Peever and apparently the rift still stands. I have been to Farmer’s Bridge several times and the Peevers have not wanted to even talk about the connection. There is a gravestone in the old cemetery located there in Farmer’s Bridge. The stone was erected by Frances’s mother even though she passed away in Vermont. There is also a connection to the Blennerhassett family as the land that they farmed in Farmer’s Bridge was leased to them by the Blennerhassett family. This is according to the Griffiths Valuation. Also in the tree are McCarthy’s, and Sullivans.
Dear Kay – re James Neil* – O’Neil*, Neal,- my ancestors were as confused as we are, they used all these spellings! Our James was COI and lived at Ballymalis but some of his children married catholics. My branch went to NZ and then Australia. We are connected to the Farmers Bridge branch. I am old, my cousin from farmers Bridge family died age 99 so she gave me information. Her grandfather was John (farmers bridge) who married Jane O’Neill, her mai den name. John’s son Thomas married Elizabeth O’Neill ,her maiden name. I visited Farmers Bridge and this Elizabeth was still alive in 1950..I have seen the Peevers name associated with the Cromane family I think. my James seems to have come from there also,it is complicated they all had the same names.My James was married to Jane Giles, Kiltallagh but she’s gone missing. A number of Neil* families lived at Cromane, unfortunately the same names. Some are on census abstracts. Hope this helps. Regards Pam
Neill/Peevers. I replied yesterday but my message disappeared after I saw it. Additional info. Wm W Neill, 34. married Lizzie Peevers,23, lived house 1, Cromane Lower, Killorglin, Kerry. (1901 census) O’Neills occupied many houses in Cromane Lower. Children- Eileen 11, James 10, Thomas 7, Wm 6, Charles 5, Elizabeth 2, Kathleen, -, Wm B, 88. Hope this helps someone. Pam O’Reilly
Missing records. Im unable to locate a baptism for my gt-grandmother Julia Sullivan born about 1854 in Trieneragh, Duagh. A common name I know. However her fathers name Carroll Sullivan is relatively rare. I believe her mother was Honora Connor and the family were known as the “Carroll Sullivans”.
Dennis, I would think that there is some error in your basic information – father or mother’s name. I have just completed a consultation for a client on this townland – Trieneragh and as far as I can see all births are registered. I would advise that you log on to http://www.Registers.nli.ie and in Duagh Baptisms go right through the original register from 1850 to 1860. It is a very easy to operate website with ability to zoom or reduce, brighten, darken etc. You will need to just put the work in … and it is work!
Hi, trying to contact Kay Caball to have some research/search done on my County Kerry ancestors and get a quote. I can’t open her email address on her website. Would someone please send me her email address.
Thank you,
Donald King USA
caballkay@mail.com
Hi I am desperately looking for my Great Great Grandfather Patrick J. kilbride. He was born around 1867 ? I just found out his family was from Killarney, County Kerry. He went to Yorkshire , England became a coal
Miner and married Catherine Flynn who was born there. Any info would be most appreciated. Thank you Susan Bergen . Sueshadyacres@yahoo.com
Greetings Kay,
I am looking for information on my 2X great grandparents.
Honora Shea b. Nov. 1830 ( daughter of Bartholomew & Bridget) married Timothy Driscoll b.17 Dec. 1829( son of Patrick Francis and Johanna Hagarty of Muintervarra) in Jan. 1855 in Dromid. This is according to the Irish Catholic Parish Register. I have not been able to locate a church name. Timothy and Honora had children Julia T. b. 7 Dec. 1855, Patrick Francis b. 27 Apr. 1857, Cornelius b. 12 Mar. 1859, Daniel b. 14 Apr. 1861 and John b. 7 May 1863. These children were all born in Dromid. They all arrived in AMerica in 1864.They settled in Connecticut where Julia married Jeremiah Coughlin ( Coughlan) whose family came from Schull. Julia and Jeremiah are my paternal Great Grand Parents. My husband and I will be in Ireland this September. We will be in Schull tracing my Coughlin ancestors and will then go on to Waterville to see what we can find about the Shea/ Driscoll line. I would love to learn the name of the church TImothy and Honora were married in, in the hope that it still exists so that we may visit it. Any other information you may be able to provide would be wonderful.
Thanks in advance, Dayle
Dayle I think you might be mixed up. Dromod is a Civil Parish in south Kerry with 71 townlands. Dromod is also the parish church of Waterville. This is the link to Waterville/Dromod: e:mail: waterville@dioceseofkerry.ie. I can’t see any record of these Driscoll children being baptised in this parish church. You mention that Timothy Driscoll was the son of Patrick Driscoll (no Irish person had two ‘christian’ or first names in the 19th century) of Muintevarra. This is a a location in the Diocese of Cork and Ross in Co. Cork and very unlikely that he would have married in Kerry in 1855.
Hi, I’m looking for information on my father and his family, he was known as John Joe Maunsell or Joe Maunsell, DOB 14/02/1922, born Lerrig, Ardfert Tralee. He had a brother called Tom Maunsell, born in 1921, Their mother died giving birth to Joe, her name was Joanne Maunsell. Not sure of my grandfathers name. Any information on this family would be really appreciated.
Thank you
Josie, it will be very difficult for you to get any information on anyone born after 1918 – that is a hundred years ago. Data Protection rules prevent any of this being recorded online but these rules are ridiculous anyway – if you were in Dublin in person, you could go in and consult the books of registered births, marriages and deaths up to 1995. [You can seach for marriages online up to 1943 and deaths up to 1968].
Ich mache Urlaub mit meiner Familie und habe an der Küste eine Inschrift in einen Stein gefunden. Wir sind derzeit unterhalb des Ortes Scoil. Die Inschriften bzw. Initialien lassen sich in der Nähe von Tobar Beannaithe finden. Es sind zwei Inschriften, leider kann man nur eine vernünftig lesen.
Vorname: J.
Nachname: Cremin
Datum der Inschrift: December 4 Jahr 1814
Der Kommentar soll nur die Information enthalten, dass der Name J. Cremin aus dem Jahre 1814 gefunden wurde. Die Zahlen und Buchstaben sind sehr ordentlich und detailliert in den Stein gemeißelt und die Schrift entspricht der damaligen Zeit.
I’m on vacation with my family and I have found on the coast an inscription in a stone. We are currently below the village Scoil. The inscriptions or initials can be found near Tobar Beannaithe. There are two inscriptions, unfortunately you can only read a reasonable.
First name: J.
Surname: Cremin
Date of inscription: December 4 years in 1814
The comment should contain only the information that the name J. Cremin was found from the year 1814th The numbers and letters are very neat and detailed carved into the stone and the document corresponds to the time.
Hello Kay
If you are able to help, it would be a miracle! …but here goes:
My great-grandmother – Johanna O’Connor – met her husband on the SS Indus which arrived in Rockhampton (QLD) Australia on 2 Jun 1877. Johanna’s age is given as 25yrs.
They married in Brisbane on 22 Oct 1878.
According to the Marriage Certificate, Johanna’s birth place was Rosbygh, Kerry – and her parents were John O’Connor (farmer) and Honora Lyons. Johanna’s age is given as 24yrs. Alas Johanna signed with an ‘X’ and she died young.
No family paperwork survives but, aunts remember a story that Johanna had a sister in ‘America’, and that an uncle had been a Bishop.
Nowhere have I been able to find a birth record for Johanna to these parents, nor the marriage record of her parents. Nor is any Connor listed in the 1901 or 1911 censuses for Rossbehy, Kerry or the Griffiths Valuation of the locality.
The only place where a couple with these names have so far turned up is Quebec?!
This is my ‘brick wall’. Good Luck!! …and thank you!
I have replied to you directly but basically – no joy here, no records of John O’Connor and Honora Lyons.
Hi.
Im looking for any information on a Kathleen Mangan, Tarmons Tarbert. I know that 1937-1938 she was approx 11 or 12.
Kathleen wrote a short essay ‘my home district’ that is printed on the Duchas.ie website. Kathleen was my grand dads first cousin. We think she was sent to The good shepherd convent in Limerick in the early 1940’s. There is no records of her anywhere. Can you help.. Please.
angela
Angela, unfortunately due to Data Protection rules, we cannot access the birth detials of anyone who was born less than 100 years ago. I am not sure where the records of the Good Shepherd Convent, Limerick are located but I can make an enquiry for you.
Hi Angela,
My mother’s first cousin was Kathleen Mangan, born about 1926. My grandmother was Nora Enright and her sister was Mary Enright, Kathleen’s mother. Kathleen married a Jack Dunne, and they married in Ireland, but raised their family mostly in Nottinghamshire, England.
Rich Hansen, Chicago
I am beginning a search for my grandfather’s birth certificate. We believe he was from Ballyferriter born Feb 2, 1897 and his father was Patrick. No information available about my Great Grandmother. My Grandmother was born in Ballydavid and I have her baptismal certificate. She was baptized at St. Vincent’s.
My Grandfather’s name was Patrick Joseph O’Connor
My grandparents, Patrick Reidy & Johanna Reidy (nee Normile) were born in and around Athea, i know they are both buried at Knockanure Cemetery, Kerry, along with their sons, John & Maurice. Is there an index of burials somewhereof the burials at this cemetery that i can search to look for great grandparents and other ancestors who i believe may be buried there? Also on a visit some years ago now i recall that there was a Chapel in the cemetery, where can i find information on the history of this chapel and cemetery. Thank you
Maria, Kerry County Council have an online Index of burials in the graveyards that they control in the County at http://www.kerrylaburials.The list of burials is from 1989 onwards. There are no earlier records
Hello Maria,
Spotted your post and said I must reply ! We share the same grandparents, I’m Maurice’s daughter (Moss). I see this post is a couple of years old so you may have the information you need now but I’m happy to share what I have on the Reidy family tree !!!
Elaine Devine (nee Reidy)
I am trying to trace my Great Grandfather, Edward James McElligott, 1819, Tarbert. He was suppose to have been a boy in the navy in St Vincent 1833, and could have been the way he came to Australia, a record we can’t find. He was married 1849 to Margaret Power and would have migrated then. Any information would help. Thank you.
I am replying to you separately with a Query Form. There are no baptismal records available for 1819 in either Tarbert or Ballylonford
I would love to find out some information about my great, great, great grandfather by the name of Anthony Maher (Mahir) born in Killarney around the year 1788. He married Ellen Cronin and had a son Anthony born in 1810. It appears Anthony their son, went to the 75th Regiment in Stirling, Scotland where he married a lady by the name of Jane. They had two sons – John and James – when they were in Grahamstown, South Africa. If anyone has any information I would be so grateful!
Kindest Regards,
Lara
Lara, both Anthony b. 24 May 1810 and James b. 15 April 1805 are listed on http://www.IrishGenealogy.ie Church Records for Killarney. The marriage of Anthony and Ellen Cronin is not listed. Church records – both baptism and marriage do not start in Killarney until 1792 so there were probably earlier children than James and Anthony if you are correct in a marriage date of 1788.
My husband,s grand parents were john joseph ryan from tipperary ireland he married mary anne leane from kilflynn, ireland. mary anne,s mother was catherine herlihy and her father was thomas leane of stacks mtn, near tralee ireland. mary anne was born december 18 1878. we cannot find any information on john joseph or catherine, parents. can you help? thank you. mary anne came on the ship oceanic and was 25. thank you
Barabar, I will send you my ancestor Query Form separately and if you return it me I can have a look and come back to you with suggestions.
Hello all. I am currently seeking information on my family. Right now I am stuck on finding any information about my great grandfather, James O’Neill who was married to Mary Reidy of Killarney. My great grandparents farm is in Farna, Castle Maine, Kerry. The farm is now under my 2nd cousin Seán Counihan.
The information I have so far
Great grandparents- James O’Neill and Mary Reidy
Maternal great grandparents – (not 100 % sure if this is correct but through my research it seems the most plausible)
Cornelius Reidy and Mary (Shea) Reidy
On the birth record it says that they resided on High Street in Killarney
My grandfather/sibling
Jane (O’Neill) Counihan
Catherine (O’Neill) Courtney
Elizabeth (O’Neill) Treacy
Mary (O’Neill) FitzGerald
Nora O’Neill
Joan O’Neill
Denis O’Neill (my grandfather)
Cornelius O’Neill
John O’Neill
Hello,
I am trying to find my time of birth, but having no luck, both my parents have passed and no one in my immediate family remembers.
My info is as follows
Madeline Elizabeth Daly
December 14 1969
Mother Vourneen King
Father Jerome Daly
Born at St Annes Hospital in Tralee
I am hoping you can help me or send me in the right direction.
Thank you and I hope to hear from you shortly,
Madeline Daly
Madeline, you should not have trouble getting a copy of this birth certificate. The only extra information you would require would be the address of your father/mother at the time of your birth. Any births after 1919 (one hundred years) are not online. But you can apply for a copy of the birth cert online (which is the best way at the moment due to the Covid 19 shutdown) at the Government Registration Offices –here.
My grandfather’s grandfather was Michael Sheehan, from Derrynane, per his naturalization records, born September 24, 1834 (or possibly 1832). His death certificate indicates his father was John Sheehan and his mother was Johanna Hartnet. Would it be possible for you to tell me where I might obtain a birth certificate for Michael or any other information about his family?
Gerald, I had a quick look in http://www.IrishGenealogy.ie and there is no record of a baptism of a Michael Sheehan son of John Sheehan/nJohanna Hartnett in Caherdaniel in a time frame of 1830- 1840. Certifying births as such did not become compulsory until 1864 so it is a Baptismal record you would be looking for. However the first such records in Caherdaniel start in 1831. Have a look yourself – I could not see any records for any children of a John Sheahan/Johanna Hartnett. Also don’t worry about the different spellings of Sheehan/Sheahan – the technology will deal with both.
Thank you Kay! I will most likely find a connection through DNA, rather than straight genealogy. I appreciate your help.
Hi Kay,
I am trying to find information on Mary Casey, my second great grandmother. She married 10 Feb 1852 In Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland. She married my 2nd great grandfather, Thomas Francis Kennedy. As far as I can tell he was a Mounted Constable with the RIC. I was told that the bride usually married in her city of birth. I cannot find any record of her being born in Kenmare. I am at a dead end as far as tracing her parentage. Is there any way you can help or how i could determine where she was born and who her parents were?
Thank you for your assistance.
Florence, the record of the marriage of Mary Casey and Thomas Kennedy in the original marriage register in Kenmare Catholic Church, give only the very limited information of both their names, both home addresses as Kenmare and two witnesses Peter Sullivan & John Tuohy. Unfortunately the names of either of their father’s are not included. Neither is their age. As both bride and groom married at a young age at that time, we would be looking for a birth of Mary Casey c. 1830. As you have probably found, there are four or five Mary Casey births in various townlands in Kenmare – it could be one of those or maybe not. You need further advice on how and where to look if you want to take on the search. My coaching one-to-one may be suitable for you but I would emphasise that there is no absolute guarantee of success with these searches with a dearth of information.
Greetings, I am trying to verify that parish records probably don’t exist for the Lauragh area of Kerry. My GG-Grandfather Patrick Eugene Florence McCarthy (born 1838 according to NZ death cert, born 1842 according to NZ marriage cert) immigrated with his brothers Felix and Michael (called Tracy) to New Zealand in the late 1850s-very early 1860s. Patrick’s parents were Eugene O’Brien McCarthy and Mary n O’Sullivan. Eugene and Mary’s stone cottage and farm of 20 acres was at Lauragh. The NZ family actually visited the cottage in the 1970s and met some McCarthys. I am trying to find birth and marriage records to confirm these family details – confirmation of the local church/parish would be great too. There don’t seem to be many records for the Lauragh area but I may have the parish wrong. I have tried searching http://www.irishgenealogy.ie without success and also wondered if there was another way Eugene is written? Many thanks Rachel
Hi Rachel, I came across your post when looking for some ancestry info of my own. Eugene could have been Owen, my own grandfather was Owen but his marriage entry was written in the nearest Latin expression of his name – Eugenius. Hope it is some help to you, Regards
Cathal
Hi – I am trying to find information on my 3rd and 4th great grandparents, who I believe are all from Dingle:
John Breen (b. abt 1825) and Mary Bowler (b. abt 1830)
Thomas Bowler (b. abt 1807) and Honora Connor (b. abt 1815)
I know that John Breen and Mary Bowler emigrated to the US and settled in Maine. But I don’t know anything about their early life in Ireland. Same for Thomas Bowler and Honora Connor.
Thank you!
Margaret, I would need some more information here. I will send you separately a Query Form which has targeted questions to enable us to identify the correct family and when I get this returned I can come up with some suggestions for you to progress the search.
Barry jones born in cahirseveen co kerry 1912
Looking for my grandparents. Bradley’s. From Kerry mabe Castleisland. Had jack Healey who emigrated to Hamilton Ontario in 70s. peg. Bradley who married Peter o donoghue lived in ballydesmond co Cork had 3 children. Also her Sister. Kit Bradley who married the other O Donoghue brother name forgotten my mother was 3rd sister who came to England to work in ammunition factory in Reading. Moved to London Paddington met my father had me n 1947 never married. As my father had a wife in Kerry I have 2/3 half sisters. One has same name as me. Margaret Mary. I am looking for christening records. Any help appreciated
Margaret, I hope that a relative or friend sees this and replies to you. You haven’t given dates for most of the people – that would be helpful. If you are looking for births after 1919, they are not available online and of course the Grovernment Registration Office is closed at present (Covid-19) so not available to callers either.
Hello I am looking for Births and Marriage of Thomas Anthony and Margaret Hearn they were the parents of Mary Margaret Anthony baptised 28th Aug 1831 in Castledermot, Kildare, Mary came to Australia, onboard The Nugget in 1854. Any help would be appreciated.
Regards Cheryl
Hello,
Trying to obtain grandmothers birth certificate.
Born Nov 29, 1890 in Spa RC
I found her Baptism record on Roots.ie https://rootsireland.ie/ifhf/view_detail.php?type=bch&recordid=28219&recordCentre=kerry&page=1&backLink=myrecords.php
But cannot find civil or church Birth Certificate.
I’ve emailed spa parish but never heard back.
Any help on where I should look next?
Thank you Greg
Greg, the link that you have given me here does not connect to a birth. If you would email me (caballkay@gmail.com) with the same information – particularly your grandmother’s name and her parent’s names.
Hello,
I thought perhaps you might be able to assist me in recommending someone in Ballyheigue to locate any records of a distant relative (my GGGGrandparents). Their sons were:
Patrick Lawler (Lawlor) b. 1821
John Lawler (Lawlor) b. 1829
Edward Lawler (Lawlor) b.1832
Maurice Lawler (Lawlor) b. 1838
I can be reached at this email by anyone whose services might be available in my search.
Thank you
Michael, sorry for delay in replying to you. The person I would be recommending would be myself!! However, there are no baptism/birth records available for Ballyheigue until after 1st Dec 1857. The church records prior to that date have not survived. If you would like me to search on land records for the family, please email me for a Query Form.
I thought perhaps you might be able to assist me in recommending someone in Ballyheigue to locate any records of a distant relative (my GGGGrandparents). Their sons were:
Patrick Lawler (Lawlor) b. 1821
John Lawler (Lawlor) b. 1829
Edward Lawler (Lawlor) b.1832
Maurice Lawler (Lawlor) b. 1838
I can be reached at this email by anyone whose services might be available in my search.
Thank you
Hi Kay- you are a wonderful person to help this way. I am looking for information on Clara “ Baby” Tobin, who lived in Kerry. She is the daughter of Michael and Julia ( Doody) Tobin. I believe she married a gentleman with the last name Brosnan.
Also looking for any information on Micheals mother Mary ( Keane) Tobin. I believe she was born in the 1860’s later marrying John Tobin and having 5 children.
Thank you so very much!
Hello Kay,
I reviewed the date ranges of available baptism and marriage records for Listowel, Lixnaw and Duagh parishes in the Diocese of Kerry. As you once noted, there are significant gaps in these records, particularly for Listowel parish. Unfortunately for my research, one gap in the baptism record, roughly December 1833 through December 1837 (about three years), is the period in which I infer my great grandfather, Maurice Condon, would have been born. Also, marriage records for the same parish before 1837 are absent, the period in which my great-great grandparents Edward Condon and Catherine Hartnett would have married. In contrast, the records for the parishes next to Listowel parish, Lixnaw and Duagh, are relatively complete (going back to 1810 for the one and 1819 for the other). Have you ever determined why there are such significant gaps in the records specifically for Listowel parish? Thank you.
Bill, almost every parish has missing records. You are correct about Listowel – births missing from January 1834 – Dec 1836 and marriages missing from 1838 to December 1840. Its impossible to pin down WHY? You get a different answer from every parish and to be fair to the current incumbents, they really don’t know either as some of these records disappeared over a hundred years ago. The records that went ‘missing’ in the latter half 20th century are the ones I feel strongly about. For some reason they were not regarded as that important, priests were too trusting and allowed the records to be searched (and sometimes pages removed) without any proper security. We spend a lot of time protecting and preserving our monuments, holy wells and other cultural effects and yet could not protect and preserve the records of our people.
Hi, currently searching for a birth record for Patrick Stack. His death cert. states he was born in 1853 to Thomas Stack and Johanna Murphy (also listed on his marriage certificate) who were both born in Listowel Kerry, or registered there anyway. I can find children Johanna, Elizabethem & Thomas but no Patrick.
I have been searching for a while with no luck. Would appreciate any help.
Therese
Therese, we would not have enough details here to search for the birth of Patrick Stack. I will send you the normal genealogy Query Form to fill in and return and that should help in finding the correct family. If you are searching for a birth prior to 1864, then it will only be through finding a baptismal record. Mandatory Civil registrations did not come into effect until January 1864.
Hi, I am looking for more info on my grandfathers family.
His name was Michael Joseph Murphy, born on 1st November 1930 to John Murphy and Bridget Murphy (Coffey) – I believe I have found Bridget Coffey who appears to be the daughter of Michael Coffey and Julia Connor.
The Murphy’s were witnesses at Bridget coffeys parents marriage. They were all based in cohersiveen and curragh beg, co. Kerry.
I have been made aware of the connection to the name Bartholomew Murphy – I’ve found a man who seems to have had a pub on new street in cahersiveen (commonly in trouble with the law for selling alcohol outside of permit hours!) – he has 7 brothers/sisters and his parents are John and Julia Murphy. Could this be part of the paternal family?
My father was named John Murphy and I’m
wondering was this after my grandads father or grandfather?
I can’t seem to find John Murphy (my grandfathers dad) and his birth/marriage/death certificate – I would like to find where he fits in and if I have any relatives as I am now living in navan in county Meath :)
Thanks in advance for your help!
Candice, thank you for your comments and query. Unfortunately it is not possible to access online any births after 1921 (one hundred years ago) due to GDPR (Data Regulations). It is possible though for yourself to go to the General Register Office in personin Werburgh St., Dublin, and look through the 1930 book there, then order a copy certificate. If you would like further information on the wider family I will send you a Query Form to fill in and I can come back to you then with a suggested Research Plan.
Looking for Marriage certificate for my Grandfather James Griffin. Born 1882 in Glenbeigh Kerry.
Married Margaret. My father was born in the United States 1914.
My grandfathers birth day shows 11/11/1882 on this death certificate.
James we would need some extra information here to be able to search for or to identify the correct marriage record. For example, most Irish people did not know their correct dates/years of birth, in the 19th century. There are two different James Griffins born in Glenbeigh in 1882, none was born in November. Also have you any idea of whenthe marriage of James Griffin might have taken place? What were the names of James Griffin parents? I will certainly give a look for you if you can update me.
I am trying to find the birth or baptismal certificate for ,my grandfather, Michael Francis Lehane, who lived in Dromatouk–and there are some references to Cappagh in some of the records–in the Kenmare region. His birthdate is sometime between 1885 to 1888–these dates are referenced in other records. Father’s name was James Lehane and his mother’s name was Ellen Reilly or (Riely) Lehane. He had several siblings: Katherine, James, John and Patrick. I can find no baptismal or birth certificates for any of these children. He emigrated to the United States (Boston) on the Franconia on April 26, 1911. Upon entry to the US he or perhaps the immigration authorities changed his name to Lyons. Thank you for any help!
Alycia Lyons Goody
Alicia. You can find details of you grandfather Michael Lehane (Lyhane in Civil Register, on http://www.irishgenealogy.ie) was born 26th September 1885, Droumatouck, Kenmare. His parents James Lyhane & Ellen Reilly. You can also find the Marriage details on same website. They were married 20th February 1870 in the Roman Catholic Church, Kilgarvan, in the Union of Kenmare, Co. Kerry – their names are listed as James Lehane & Helena Reily
If you want to obtain a Birth Certificate… google ‘Order an Irish Birth Certificate ‘ and you shall find all the details to obtain one.
On another note – there is today a Michael Lehane & Family living at Droumatouck, Kenmare and coincidentally his father was also James Lehane. Most likely a cousin of yours.
Regretfully I only saw your post today but as the saying goes ‘better late than never’.
God Bless
Siobhán Tangney, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Dear Kay, last week I left here a question about Harry Albert Clancy, born 21 july 1898 in Killarney acc9rdingbto his British Seamen Identity Card. You mentioned no birth certificate was to be found and that he might even not really be born in Killarney. We would like to visit Kerry county to look for his Baptism record. Would you have any suggestion where to start this search? With much gratitude and a smile
Caroline, there isn’t actually any one place in Kerry where you can look for a birth certificate. Births at the time you are speaking about are all (both Kerry and the rest of Ireland) are online at https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ on the section Civil Registerss. So if Harry Clancy was born in Ireland in 1898 or any other year you should be able to find him.
Visiting Ireland in May 2022. Looking for information on my great great grandparents Julia Fitzgerald and Simon Connor both were born in Sneem .Would like to find out where they are buried..or any relations to my great grandparents Patrick J Sullivan and Julia Connor. I know they both died in the USA.
Jean I will send you a Query Form separately. I would need to have details, dates etc
Hello, I’m verifying may great great granfarhers baptism. I Will like some help checking Cornelius Brennan born on the 25th of march 1821 in Kenmore, Kerry County. Some help will be great.
Thank you very much.
Sebastian Caronni Brennan
I will email you separately with a Query Form to get some extra details.
I’m looking for some information or guidance as to how best to find out whether there’s any truth to my having any irish ancestry. My grandmother was extremely cagey about her parentage and my mother has only been able to pass on the most scant and vague of information that she managed to piece together from odd references that she dropped here and there before she died in 1975. She was born in 1912 in London to a Scottish father who had the surname Currier(or some variation on it),born in Glasgow’s Gorbals;and to an apparently Irish mother who had the surname Paul and into a family that had a number of Devines in it. The family were supposedly from Kilarney,or Kerry. I’ve done searches every now and then online but have drawn a blank on there being any Pauls in either Kerry or Kilarney,specifically. All the Pauls I’ve researched seem to hail from the other side of the country and from Northern Ireland. She was extremely reluctant to talk about her family because I believe it was rife with illegitimacy. Are there any resources out there that I could have recourse to to solve this mystery with some degree of certainty one way or the other? Thanks